Thousands of former students at University College London (UCL) are set to receive compensation following a £21 million settlement linked to Covid-era disruption. The agreement, reached at the High Court last week, resolves claims brought by 6,500 students who argued they did not receive the education and campus access they had paid for during lockdown restrictions.
The case is being closely watched across the higher education sector. According to the Financial Times, the payout could equate to roughly £3,270 per student, although the final sums will be determined by a committee of claimants. The development has prompted renewed interest among students nationwide, with further legal action already in preparation.
High Court Settlement Follows Claims over Disrupted Teaching
The legal action centered on allegations that teaching was canceled or moved online and that access to university facilities was significantly restricted after the outbreak of Covid-19. Students claimed this amounted to a failure to deliver the full educational experience for which tuition fees had been paid.
While UCL “admitted no liability,” the university chose to settle the claim “so the matter could be resolved amicably and without further expense,” stating that prolonged litigation would have diverted resources away from teaching, research, and student support. According to the Financial Times, which cited an email sent to former students by their legal team, the confidential agreement totals £21 million.
The newspaper also reported that legal costs and litigation funders’ fees are estimated at around 35% of the total payout, though the email did not specify exact figures allocated to these expenses.
The claim was pursued under a “no win, no fee” arrangement by law firms Asserson and Harcus Parker. Adam Zoubir, partner at Harcus Parker, said he was “delighted that this settlement provides a resolution for our clients who attended UCL during the pandemic and had their classes moved online.”
Similarly, Shimon Goldwater, partner at Asserson Solicitors, stated he was “very pleased that our clients have been able to achieve a commercial settlement of their claims with UCL.”
Broader Legal Action Targets Universities across Britain
The settlement is unlikely to mark the end of similar claims. A coordinated group litigation effort known as Student Group Claim, led by Asserson and Harcus Parker, is preparing action against additional institutions. According to reports, the group represents more than 200,000 students and graduates across 36 UK universities, though these claims remain at the pre-action stage.
The case has drawn widespread attention among students who experienced similar disruptions during the rapid spread of the virus, which forced universities nationwide to close campuses and shift to remote learning.
Responding previously to the dispute, Dr Michael Spence, UCL President and Provost, acknowledged the difficulties faced during the pandemic. He said the period was “incredibly difficult for students,” adding that staff acted quickly and followed government guidance while working to maintain academic standards.
Throughout Covid-19, UCL said it implemented comprehensive safety measures and provided routes for students to seek redress. The university emphasized that it has “never disputed the principle that individuals may seek legal remedies.”
With the UCL claim now resolved, attention turns to other institutions facing potential litigation. For many former students, the settlement represents a tangible acknowledgment of the disruption they experienced, and perhaps, the beginning of further legal challenges across the sector.
